Performance Boats Forum banner

Some ideas to help the next NJBA race at Smellsomore

8K views 123 replies 60 participants last post by  probablecause 
#1 ·
This thread is in no means a bashing of NJBA or any members. Im just trying to come up with ways to help the program be more efficient. The race was great and it was a breath of fresh air from IHBA.


-How about trying to round up a minimum of 8 jetskis and offer them 4 tickets in and lunch for the riders to tow boats during the race.

Keep the rope loaded at all times. Let them tow out in the left lane and interact with the crowd. Get them involved.

I saw several boats drive past the outramp and end up coming back towards the ramp sending rollers up the course. Make the left early and keep the rollers down.

To keep the crowd interested in down time maybe have some circle boats running heats? I know this sounds funny when we didnt even get all the boats run but Im talking about when things are flowing a little smoother. Maybe a barefoot exhibition etc.

I like having two announcers like they did on Sunday. It mixed it up and created more of an interactive atmosphere. Get the crowd involved. Its like Nascar, if you dont have a favorite in the race it is very boring. Create a rivalry or something to hype the race.

I think the starting system may require some alterations. We may need to have the people on the barge armed with radiosto give Allen info (boat numbers) and they may need to be the ones asking for the thumbs up. They need to be more responsible for red lighting the course and directing traffic.

Any other ideas?
 
See less See more
#6 ·
Ability to bring a cooler in.
Two reasons. sponsors, vendors. They play a big role in this program. Allowing spectators to bring in there own alcohol is a huge liability for obvious reasons that I don't really need to even list. As is bringing in your own alcohol and telling us about it.

Vendors pay money to have access to participate in these events. Lets keep them happy, so they come back.
 
#7 ·
definately keep the boats flowing. was more than once where it felt like a boat hadnt run in more then ten minutes. just what i observed.this weekend was evidence that things could be very good for the sport if things keep progressing. keep up the good work!
 
#8 ·
I agree...from a spectator stand point. There was some downtime. Noticed the ramp empty at times and no one staged. Rope was empty at times.

One thing I noticed is they need to widen the road coming from the asphalt pits to the dirt for that 100 yards or so at least. It got congested there. Better sound would always help. I remember puddingstone in its later days, and people were running but unless your by a speaker its hard to hear what anyone is running. Maybe even a display board like NHRA events. I know its big money but if NJBA keeps the numbers up it will pay for itself, and keeping the numbers up requires some of this.

Great turnout. Awsome event. I wish the next was there. I know Norcal guys probably feel different due to transportation costs etc.
 
#11 ·
Maybe even a display board like NHRA events. I know its big money but if NJBA keeps the numbers up it will pay for itself, and keeping the numbers up requires some of this.
Score board ... we need a score board. (floating display / digital timing board / whatever you want to call it).

All drag racing events, down to even the smaller 1/8th mile tracks in the middle of nowhere have them ... we need one.

I know that the board has a lot of expenses to cover from putting on this race, but hopefully with this and the possibility of another Motorhead Madness show ... we could raise the funds?

The club is only getting better and better ... the work these guys have put in is amazing. I know I pushed this issue (Elsinore) for a long time, but without a guy like Ken Simonds running the show ... I don't know if it would have been as good as it was. Great job Ken! And great job to the whole board!

Keep up the good work.

BB
 
#12 ·
As far as the one way road, we did the best we could. I was the one directing traffic on the lake side of the road. I agree with having a separate walkway for the peds. It would be nice to have another road for two way traffic, but we did the best we could all weekend.

I actually had a great time and would definitely volunteer again. Out of both days everybody was cool and understood what we trying to do. I only got hackled a couple of times which was at the end of the day when everybody was drunk. Sam the race director had his hands full all weekend along with everybody at NJBA.

You guys can count on me again to help with the next race.

Mike
 
#13 ·
You did a great job with what you had to deal with. Thank you for assisting.

THAT right there was a thankless job ... but definitely shows that you are willing to do what it takes. I don't know if I could have handled standing there all weekend hearing drag boats go off w/o being able to see any action. :)sphss
 
#14 ·
Keep the boats running one after another.

Waiting 10 - 15 minutes in between runs is boring for the spectators. Score board would be nice. I would watch a boat run look down track to try and see what the time was. If you cant hear the announcer you have no idea whats going on. I doubt the next race will have that many spectators. If NJBA can afford it , it would be nice to have a professional announcer. Sorry announcer guy.:)devil
 
#24 ·
Waiting 10 - 15 minutes in between runs is boring for the spectators. Score board would be nice. I would watch a boat run look down track to try and see what the time was. If you cant hear the announcer you have no idea whats going on. I doubt the next race will have that many spectators. If NJBA can afford it , it would be nice to have a professional announcer. Sorry announcer guy.:)devil
We hired a professional sound company to do the race, the same company that does all the circle boat races. As far as the announcer goes I think Jeff Fry does a great job and he won't be replaced anytime soon!!
Thanks for casting negativity about future attendance at this venue, your just what drag boat racing needs.:mad:
 
#16 ·
I don't know if it's possible but better and bigger in and out ramps would be great. As others have said a scoreboard would be a HUGE improvement. The road in and out was a bummer but I think most people could see that there wasn't much you could do about that. All in all I think it would have been a good first race there if the weather would have held out
 
#18 ·
The weather definitely wreaked havoc on the race. I know a lot of people may not agree with moving the Pro boats ahead on the second round sunday but I think it was a great idea. We are trying to attract spectators and that was a smart move. Too bad they didnt get to go off.
 
#19 ·
I had never been to a drag boat race before and was quite amazed at all the work and equipment that need to be hauled down and set up. I went over there Thursday morning as requested to launch my pontoon boat that I loaned them for the take out ramp. They weren't even close to being ready for me so I ended up helping them set up most of the day. Great bunch of guys that volunteered their time but definately not enough of them. I must have heard a 100 times we always do this at Ming and never did it this way. That mentality sort of hindered them as the course was just barely ready to go Sat morning.

As far as the waverunners go I also volunteered 2 more and they were ready to go as backups but I got the impression that there were not enough volunteers to man them.

Sam, Kenny, Allen and just a handfull of guys worked their asses off for the racers and spectators to have a great time and I am sure they would appreciate some more willing volunteers to help. If you want a great event ask to what can I do to help and be sure you live up to your commitment.
 
#20 ·
There are no solutions to the single lane road connecting the parking lot to the dirt, we just had to work with what we had. Im told the Army Corps of Engr. controls that land and will not have any changes be made.

I thought the race was pretty cool from a racers perspective, if the race moved a little faster and things would have been better for sure.

NJBA has come a very long way in a short period of time, there are guys making things happen on the board of directors, if things keep going in this direction its going to be one seriously bad ass club to race with.
 
#21 ·
I don't think the action moved too much slower than it would have at Ming. People need to understand that as spectators we are not on the water and just because we want to see more runs doesn't mean it should impeed the drivers saftey. Granted there were very few stays on the course due to wind, but we must also take into accout the fact that this is a new venue for the club and there will undoubtedly be kinks to work out.

A scoreboard would be ideal...
I'd like to be able to get a bit closer to the shore; Ming seems so much closer...
I would also like to be able to bring my dog.

With that said, I applaud the NJBA for an awesome event. I can't wait for the next one!
 
#22 ·
For the down time I say we set up the octagon for all the drunken "Tap Out" and "Metal Mulisha" members to pussy foot around in. Maybe a Tattoo booth? Dentist? But joking aside it was fun proabably one of the funniest races I've been too in a long time. If they could do a spectator path that would be awesome. Also since it is the heart of the "909" and motocross/freestyle is king out there a freestyle moto jump demo would bring in even more people. Maybe a wakeboard demo. Also the announcer needs to calm down just a bit, just to the point where you can understand him. All in all it was cool.
 
#25 ·
This race will be huge at Elsinore when it warms up. The attendance was big inspite of the weather so that tells us that people want to see dragboat racing. There have been numerous studies done on the amount of time it takes in between runs and there is no doubt that the runs can be quicker, but like it was posted earlier, this was the first race back there and little kinks need to be worked out but it was bad ass to look over from the rope at a huge crowd of people. And MMA wannabe's. :D:D
 
#27 ·
I was towing in/out for the weekend.

Here's my views.

If the narrow area just off the asphalt can't be widened, then I think it needs to be re-thought.. ( the crossing guards were a great idea.. How bout red/green flags so it's clear who's turn it is to go??).Too many people/boats/stuff in a narrow area, with jagged rocks on both sides.... I was worried the whole time .. .. I saw bikes passing me with very little room on either side. Pedestrians as well.. If someone fell into those rocks, it was gonna be ugly... factor in beer and well, I think it's just a matter of time.... I think there should be no walkers/bike riders across the bottle neck..

shuttles pulling flat beds for people movers across the narrow point perhaps.. Hay bales for seats etc..If have three or so, could shuttle the folks to the lots or the viewing area.. It might speed up the show and would definitely be safer..

In ramp/ out ramp needed better marking and a better grate in the water... I was slow to back in (2-wd) because I was sure I was going to get stuck.. Never did, but I was really cautious and would have been quicker if I knew I could get out.. I kept having to back"a few more inches", because I was afraid to just stuff it in .. I wanted the best chance of getting out as it mudded up throughout the day..

I never saw congestion at the out ramp, but lots at the in ramp.. To me that confirmed that the racing was a bit slower than to be desired..
 
#28 ·
I thought the passes could have been a little quicker. I heard one of the drivers mention the length of the shut down area. Then again when you have people ripping off 224 mph passes a little longer shut down area isn't a bad idea.

I agree with the others on the bottle neck for pedestrians and race teams, I am pretty sure a couple of crossing guards would help resolve that issue.

Aside from that I enjoyed the hell out of myself! Good show, great turn out. Cool boats.
 
#29 ·
ideas

i just want to thank everyone involved in putting together and working the race....i sure it was unpredictable on the amount of people that would show up and with a record breaking crowd ....you guys did a awsome job. as part of a team we managed to weave through the crowd and get to the ramp and out with no problem and found it quite entertaining with all the rackage if you know what i mean.

Jeff frye picked up the slack and announced his ass off....great job Jeff!

im sure everything will be worked out for the better....keep up the good work and thanks for making it possible.
 
#31 ·
thank you to all the race teams and spectators for showing up to this first of many events, we hope at LE. the amount of work involved for volunteers is more than any of you could ever imagine, but it was worth it, don't ya think. all the positive comments and contructive critisism is needed. The NJBA boardmembers will no doubtedly go over the pro's and con's of this race and see that the next one is more of a success. Ken and Sam are animals for the amount of work and hrs they put in to this, there isn't enough thank you's to be said for what the did before,during and after this event. keep the suggestions coming, it's not the 1000 things we can think of between the boardmembers but the million ones we can't. In my opinion this shows us the NJBA, if we promote, (advertise), we can get people to show up, so maybe we can do more at Ming and actually get some attendance, we are trying.

keep it coming
thanks, tom b., boardmember:)hand
 
#33 ·
Ditto! And a special thanks to all the racers!That was truely bitchen.The blue thunder crew are a bunch a great guys.I brought three little boys out for their first boat drag and we had a great time! they will never forget it as long as they live!! All the boats were awsome.The crews and drivers were all way cool.THANKS GUYS! BUT... COORSLIGHT would've been NICE! BUD.....YUK!
 
#34 · (Edited)
Hmm?

The crews and drivers were all way cool.THANKS GUYS! BUT... COORSLIGHT would've been NICE! BUD.....YUK!
Sounds like you didn't find the right crew member w/ the right beer:)hand
I had a few memebers come by and say "Hi" and be rewarded:)devil
My kids were w/ me too.

I liked the event more than I disliked some of the hiccups......I'd return even if it were to just spectate..............and I drove from beyond BFE...Phx, AZ

Thre was some docks along the out ramp that w/ further notice and planning could be lined across the shallower water behind the starting line to allow adults and photographers only to view from the otherside. many picturs only show 2 or three people on that far bank and give some the impression hardly any spectators were there when infact there were more than I've seen in a long time. Race location, location, location. Close to OC, San Diego, LA County and high desert made it central for most.
 
#35 ·
NJBA did a great job for a new venue. The wrinkles will be ironed out. At the drivers meeting Sunday morning several were dissgussed to try and correct some obvious issues on noticed on Saturday. As stated above the narrow road between the asphalt and the peninsula cannot be modified since the Army Corps of Engineers call the shots on it. It was created for flood control and wild life preservation and what the Corps say is what they will have. Lots of good suggestions here. I know the City Mayor was stoked beyond belief so future events and improvements to the program should come easier. Jeff Fry "The Announcer Guy" is the man! I wouldn't want anyone else driving that bus. He was off the charts last weekend.
 
#40 ·
Thanks Guys!

Thanks guys you know im only good because you guys are even better!!!!!!

Thanks for the kind words!!!!!!

There gose the Rope!
Capsules down and locked!
And, awayyyyy they go!!!!!!!!


NJBA did a great job for a new venue. The wrinkles will be ironed out. At the drivers meeting Sunday morning several were dissgussed to try and correct some obvious issues on noticed on Saturday. As stated above the narrow road between the asphalt and the peninsula cannot be modified since the Army Corps of Engineers call the shots on it. It was created for flood control and wild life preservation and what the Corps say is what they will have. Lots of good suggestions here. I know the City Mayor was stoked beyond belief so future events and improvements to the program should come easier. Jeff Fry "The Announcer Guy" is the man! I wouldn't want anyone else driving that bus. He was off the charts last weekend.
 
#36 ·
Agreed, Jeff was awesome! I totally liked the two announcer idea as well as talking to drivers during the race (Heck, even Cyclone sounded good) I think it certainly gets people paying more attention.

As stated, if nothing changed, it would still be a great race. The think the biggest issue was the lag between passes, but with a new track, you are going to have these issues until you work out a system.

My biggest complaint is from Sunday. Right before Cyclone made his pass, I believe there was a red light on the race course (the boats fired to make a pass, and then they shut down) Then the rescue boat from the finish line motored down to the start where the other rescue boat was. Then to my surprise, they had the boats fire up and make a pass as both rescue boats were at the starting line. I couldn't believe it because there should always be a rescue boat at the big end. Then when the tower started yelling for Rescue at the out ramp, only the worst thoughts came across my mind. Thankfully there wasn't an emergency and everyone was ok, but from my stand point, NJBA dodged a bullet with that pass and hopefully it was just an oversite that doesn't happen again.

Another awesome moment from last weekend...


HBjet
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top